Inter Miami handed Nashville SC a narrow 2‑1 defeat at Chase Stadium on July 12, 2025, ending the visitors’ impressive 15-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. The night belonged once again to Lionel Messi, who delivered yet another masterclass and now sits at the top of the MLS scoring charts.
Messi opened the scoring with a sensational free kick in the 17th minute and doubled the lead midway through the second half, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error to complete his fifth consecutive brace, a feat not seen in Major League Soccer history. According to Sports Illustrated, this performance equals the record set by Josef Martínez in 2018 and puts Messi on 16 goals for the season, tied for the league lead.
Nashville fought back after halftime. Their talisman Hany Mukhtar netted his 10th goal of the season with a sharp header from an Andy Najar cross. But despite a late surge, they couldn’t find the equalizer and suffered their first defeat since April 19.
Goal.com reported that Messi’s consistency is becoming legendary — scoring in six consecutive matches, with 11 goals over that span. His chemistry with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba continues to drive Inter Miami’s midfield dominance.
Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis made an uncharacteristic error that led directly to Messi’s second goal. The Al Jazeera Sports Desk emphasized how that mistake may have cost Nashville at least a point in what had been a tightly contested match.
While Messi dazzled, Luis Suárez again looked out of rhythm. MLS analysts note he has scored just five goals this season and was largely absent from the key attacking phases.
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Final Score: Inter Miami 2–1 Nashville SC
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Goals: Messi (17’, 62’), Mukhtar (51’)
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Possession: Inter Miami 54% – Nashville 46%
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Shots on Target: Inter Miami 7 – Nashville 3
This was Inter Miami’s fifth straight win, propelling them higher in the Eastern Conference standings. Miami Herald noted that this stretch has transformed the club into a serious title contender.
Nashville SC will regroup quickly, returning home to face Columbus Crew on July 16, followed by another fixture against Toronto FC. Meanwhile, Inter Miami travels to face FC Cincinnati, hoping to extend their winning streak and capitalize on Messi’s red-hot form.
In case you missed it, Messi’s breathtaking free-kick goal is already making waves across social platforms and was described by World Soccer Talk as “vintage Messi — curled, calculated, unstoppable.”
If Nashville wants to bounce back, they’ll need sharper defending and fewer mistakes. But for now, all eyes remain on Inter Miami’s No. 10 — still writing his MLS legacy with every touch.